I was speaking to one of my senior friends today, a Sensei of Aikido. At some point, I mentioned my age (52), and he said, "Sensei, you're still a puppy."

It is great to practice something in which being 52 makes you "still a puppy." In so many sports and other activities, people are old at 30 (or even younger). But in the martial arts, we are still puppies, still learning a lot in our 50s. We continue to learn and improve in the martial arts as long as we practice.

My good friend and senior, Sensei Pat Nakata, often says that we must refine our movements. It is not just practicing the same thing over and over -- it is to constantly seek improvement.

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"Karate Jutsu" means "China Hand art". Karate came to Okinawa from China.
Only in the 1930s or so, was the term "Karate" changed to mean "Empty Hand".
"China Hand" was used in Hawaii until after World War II, and is still used in some dojo.